South London housing project wins UK's top architecture award

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 21:58 · Archive

Lion Green Road in Coulsdon has won the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architecture award.

Lion Green Road in Coulsdon, a housing development for Croydon Council, has won the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architecture award. The complex comprises 157 homes split equally between privately-owned and socially-rented accommodation, arranged across five distinctive 13-sided blocks designed to accommodate up to 635 residents.

Built on a challenging, sloping site that varies in height by eight metres, each block is carefully rotated and positioned to align with the site's topography. The homes are decorated in an earth-toned colour palette with private balconies and dual-aspect design to draw in natural light. On site, Lion Green Road provides children's play areas, sensory trails and residents' allotments to support wildlife and community.

Riba president Chris Williamson praised the design as a 'new approach to higher density development' that creates 'a new connection between the bustling Lion Green Road and a distinctive area of green parkland beyond'. Designer Mary Duggan said the project was 'about the culture of dwelling' and that 'architectural ambition, social value and social realities can co-exist'.

How it is being reported

• New South London council housing dubbed a 'living landscape' wins this year's RIBA Stirling PrizeLion Green Road, a council-commissioned housing complex in Coulsdon, South London, was announced as the winner of the lucrative 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize on Thursday evening.Daily Mail · 15 Oct, 21:39
• London housing project wins top architecture awardLion Green Road in Coulsdon was recognised for the way it responds to its surroundings.BBC News · 15 Oct, 21:02

In this story: Lion Green Road · Coulsdon · Mary Duggan Architects · RUFF Architects · Croydon Council · Royal Institute of British Architects · Chris Williamson · Mary Duggan

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